It was an emotional night for Downton Abbey fans yesterday. In the UK, fans soaked up another hour of Season 3; the trials and tribulations at the grand house in the country. Meanwhile, American fans watched and cheered Maggie Smith’s only major win* for Downton Abbey at the 64th Annual Emmys. She was not present to accept the award. It brought to mind her character’s quip from E2: “Curious. He hates to leave America. I should hate to go there.”

Still, a win for one is a win for all, and much to celebrate all things considered. Other period dramas-Mad Men (which had 17 nominations), Boardwalk Empire and Sherlock-came away empty-handed. It would appear that in an election year, Americans are more drawn to political drama; Homeland won three awards.

The world seems far more jolly today, the morning after nearly 9 million viewers watched the debut of Season 3 of Downton Abbey on ITV1, Downton’s home in the UK. It has been a long wait since the Christmas episode was broadcast, but at last the beloved country home of the Crawley family has re-opened its doors for a new season.

Not unlike our first days back at school after the long summer break, the first episode takes time to reacquaint viewers with where we left off, and where we may be headed this season. The time stamp is Spring 1920, the opening shot a blessed relief. Season 1 opened with a telegraph operator relaying news of Titanic, and Season 2 with a battle fields. Season 3 opens with Daisy, our favorite Kitchen Maid, riding her bicycle. It seems all things will work out for Downton this year. I will not spoil the rest of it for you.

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly tribute to the art of having tea. As Henry James once said: “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea”. It is a sad day as we remember and reflect on families torn apart eleven years ago today in the 9/11 attacks.

Tea Tuesday was inspired by Christine, a young woman living in France who was curious about English tea traditions after watching a few episodes of Downton Abbey. The British may have failed miserably in other culinary areas, but they excel in the tea ritual. Join me every Tuesday as I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with a history. Today’s treat is a simple and elegant way to vamp up your tea or dessert tray.

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly tribute to the art of having tea. As Henry James once said: “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

I host Tea Tuesday each week, a virtual tea party which was inspired by Christine, a follower who lives in France, who was curious about English tea traditions after watching a few episodes of Downton Abbey. The British may have failed miserably in other culinary areas, but they excel in the tea ritual. Join me every Tuesday as I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with a history.

Summer is a time to pack in as much activity as you can into 90 days, particularly for those of us who live in colder climes when every precious moment of warm sunshine is to be cherished.

Many of you have travelled “across the pond” to enjoy the London Olympics, the rest of the world is enjoying televised coverage, cheering on our countrymen in our favorite sports. The time out in front of the TV helps one recover from all the summer fun we have packed into such a short period of time. As for me, I am still recovering from our family fishing trip to the Northern Pacific Coast of B.C. While we go for the huge salmon, it is the halibut which makes the trip extra special.

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly tribute to the art of having tea. As Henry James once said: “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.

I host Tea Tuesday each week, a virtual tea party which was inspired by Christine, a follower who lives in France, who was curious about English tea traditions after watching a few episodes of Downton Abbey. The British may have failed miserably in other culinary areas, but they excel in the tea ritual. Join me every Tuesday as I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with a history. Continue reading →

The new Diamond Jubilee Salon at Fortnum & Mason in central London. Click to reserve.

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly tribute to the art of having tea. As Henry James once said: “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

I host Tea Tuesday each week, a virtual tea party which was inspired by Christine, a follower who lives in France, who was curious about English tea traditions after watching a few episodes of Downton Abbey. The British may have failed miserably in other culinary areas, but they excel in the tea ritual. Join me every Tuesday as I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with a history.

My Online Guide to the Tea Ritual

Many of you will be traveling to the UK and will likely have “afternoon tea” on your list. To help avoid disappointment (there is a difference between afternoon and high tea), I have created a handy guide to help you enjoy the experience: Downton Abbey Cooks Online Guide to Afternoon Tea. The guide includes:

The history of Tea in England

Tea Lingo

The difference between Afternoon and High Tea

Proper tea etiquette

The guide also includes tips and recipes to host your own tea party, perhaps to gather friends to watch your favorite Downton Abbey episode:

How to make a proper cup of tea

Sweet and Savoury tea recipes, including a great scone recipe you can adapt many ways.

How to build a tea service on a budget.

Dishing Downton

Season 3 poster revealed

After weeks of no news gossip front, some great news this week:

PBS confirmed that Season 3 starts January 6th.

Emmy nominations were announced last Tuesday, and Downton Abbey received 16 nominations including best drama, as well as nods for Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham) and Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) in the lead actor and actress categories, and supporting nominations for Joanne Froggatt (Anna), Maggie Smith (Dowager Countess), Jim Carter (Mr. Carson) and Brendan Coyle (John Bates). As the Daily Beast’s critic Jace Lacob observed on Twitter: “It seems as though the entire casts of Downton Abbey… have been nominated.”

Check out my Online Guide for ideas on what to serve when hosting fellow fans to a Downton themed bash to watch the Emmys on Sept. 23.

Free Bates.

Cast members appeared for a Downton Abbey event hosted by the Television Critics Association Event on Saturday. There was a question and answer section, and a trailer shown, which hopefully will be made available to the public, soon! Nine More spoilers were revealed which alluded to the type of season we can expect. Hugh Bonneville stole the show with a show of support for John Bates.

Stilton and Fig Tart with Walnut Dressing

Stilton and Fig Tarts

This is a great simple addition to the savoury layer of your tea or your appetizer tray. The recipe comes from the famous Fortnum & Mason in London, a place many of you may have the opportunity to visit this summer. My treasured book of recipes from Fortnum & Mason was a gift from Ellen, my online friend who journeyed to London on a whim in response to a tweet I posted about a luncheon with Lady Carnvaron of High Clere Castle She promises she will provide an detailed account of her trip. As it turns out she is off again to London this Fall, this time with her son. Both trips were in tribute to her Mother’s memory who passed last September.

It had been a quiet summer for ardent American Downton Abbey fans, many engaged in Downton Downtime activities like planning vacations to London to visit High Clere castle where Downton Abbey is filmed, taking in Diamond Jubilee celebrations, or the Summer Olympics. Others have stayed close to home, taking their favorite Downton period books* to the beach, and introducing new fans to Downton through DVDs and/or Netflix.

As for me, I am writing a Downton-inspired e-cookbook, planned for release in December. I hope to provide inspiration for fans of all cooking ability who want to take a Downton twist on casual or formal gatherings. But in the meantime, here are some great recipe and entertaining ideas. Come back regularly as I update links to this page.

Brits really know how to throw a party. Londoners are currently enjoying a rare two day Bank Holiday, allowing commoners more time to engage in official and their own Diamond Jubilee celebrations, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne. In response to a young lass whose tweet wondered why it was a big deal, my response to her in terms she could relate: think Girl Power. This is only the second Diamond Jubilee ever celebrated, the first by Queen Victoria, and both were women.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Are you ready? My mom lives across the country so my preparation in minimal. I have my card in the post, and was given strict instructions not to send a gift. Now that she has discovered Skype, what she desires most on Mother’s Day is to see my face.

For those of you blessed to have Mother living within driving distance, it can be a struggle to decide how to celebrate the day with her. Since it is Tea Tuesday, might I suggest that you try a tea party. Your heritage might be somehow linked to the British Empire, but I think I am safe in saying that Moms generally appreciate any meal they don’t have to cook, particularly if sweets are involved. If you have siblings with little girls, you can gather the whole troop together, and let the kids experience a fun version of tea.